Improvement in fasteners for coffins



A. B DAVIS.

Fastener for Coffins, 8w.

No. 20l,l63. Patented March 12,1878.

INVEHTOR M -MW- WlTNESSES 259.7 WM

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

ANDREW B. DAVIS, OF ITHAOA, YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENERS FOR COFFINS, 80C.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,163, dated March 12, 1878 application filed February 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW B. DAVIS, of Ithaca, in the county of Tompkins and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastening Devices; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it,

reference being had to the accompanyingthe other arm of the staple into the lid or cover of the case, this latter arm not passing through the body of the hook, but having lateral bearing against the edge of its free end, in such a manner as to prevent the unfastening of the hook or its disengagement from the lid-connection until first the staple is withdrawn.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents my invention applied to an outside coffin-case. Fig. 2 shows the invention in use upon any case or box, the same being in broken part.

The side body A of anyordinary outside coffin-case is provided with a hook, B, which may be of any suitable material andforin. One end portion thereof is pivoted to this side body by a screw or other similar device, while the opposite or free end portion engages with the neck of a screw or similar projecting de vice.

A common form of eye could be used in this latter instance; but preferably I use coffinscrews in both instances.

Through the body of the hook, and prefera' bly near its longitudinal portion, a suitable hole, I), is formed, through which one arm of the staple 0 passes into the side of the case.

The main body of the staple extends in an angular line of direction to the length of the hook over its face, and the other arm is fastened in the lid or cover D. This arm has lateral bearing against the edge of the hook, and serves to keep the latter in engagement with its connecting device of the lid. This requires the withdrawal of the staple in order to allow the hook-fastening to be disconnected and the lid to be raised from the case.

It will be observed that this makes a fast ening peculiarly adapted for use in retaining the lid or cover of an outside coffiii-case in place, as the same is shipped from one point to another, and also in the general uses of an outer coffin-case; and although the above is the main design of the invention, yet it is equally applicable for use in many other instances. It is well adapted to fasten the lid or cover of an inside coffin-case or a coffin proper; and though 1 preferably make both the hook and the staple of wrought-iron, yet other suitable material may be substituted therefor.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The described fastening device, consisting in the combination of the hook which fastens the lid or cover to the main body of the case, and the staple, one arm of which latter passes through the body of the hook into the side of the case, while the other arm is secured to the lid and bears against the edge of the free end of the hook, the same being adapted to prevent the unfastening of the hook until the staple is first withdrawn, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of January, 1878.

ANDREW B. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

J OHN R. Commas, THos. B. HALL. 

